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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Lenny Curry released a statement Friday night, saying that 214 Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighters have been quarantined and 14 tested positive for COVID-19.
The mayor posted on Twitter:
I have been closely monitoring the health and safety of our firefighters since Chief Powers first informed me earlier this week that two had tested positive for COVID. Our ability to protect and serve the citizens of Jacksonville depends on keeping our first responders healthy.
– Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) June 27, 2020
The next day, he tweeted that the entire fire department is being tested.
1. As I said last night, our ability to protect and serve our citizens depends on keeping our first responders healthy. Today we begin testing the entire fire department. pic.twitter.com/ecXx1Qab74
– Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) June 27, 2020
A week ago, sources told News4Jax that there were 60 quarantined firefighters.
In April, the Jacksonville City Council passed two emergency bills that allow former JFRD members and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office police to come out of retirement to help respond to the coronavirus crisis.
According to a mayor spokesman, firefighters are expected to start coming out of quarantine in two days, and retirees will not be needed at this time.
The spokesperson said that starting immediately, firefighters will have new security protocols. They include wearing masks at all times and being socially estranged at shift changes, while eating and sleeping.
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